Having been briefly introduced to Project Citizen at the National Academy, I decided to try it out this year. It’s an ideal, outcome-based activity as much about the journey as the finish. And the great thing about the finish is that it’s really just the beginning, for students
In the previous installment, I overcame my apprehension at introducing the politicolors, and began to share student responses to political theory. At one time, I had been worried about the abstract nature of such an approach, yet here they were truly excited to use colored pencils in their notes and
When last we met, I was explaining my dread, as I contemplated using Will’s boxes with my 4th-6th classroom. Here was this rich, layered theory, which I still hadn’t mastered; yet, the politicolors had given dimension to the founding, I’d never before imagined. Could I bring them
After a year to digest Will’s colors and boxes, I felt ready to use them with my class. It wasn’t without apprehension. Although I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and re-envisioning the National Academy (primarily through writing and this site), I want to approach mastery before
Did you see the We are One [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2009/jan/18/obama-inauguration-we-are-one?picture=341951467&morepage] celebration yesterday? It was a powerful combination of our best words, music, and ideas. From the MLK and JFK quotes you’d expect to Reagan quotes you wouldn’t.